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The San Andreas fault is obviously a cause for concern because of its location. The fault runs right through California, a highly populated area. Any earthquakes that result from the fault are likely to affect many lives and take a lot of casualties. Geologists are eager to predict when these will happen, hoping to develop early warning capabilities which will save many lives.

There is also research in San Andreas because of its past history. It is responsible for some of the most notable earthquakes in our history, such as the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (which killed around 3000 people) and the Parkfield earthquake, which happened in 2004.

San Andreas offers unique opportunities for study. The section of the fault beneath the small town of Parkfield, California consistently produces magnitude 6.0 earthquakes about every 22 years. The frequency and predictability of these earthquakes means they are a useful tool for geologists. On either side of the fault, the vegetation and terrain looks completely different. This is some of the best visual evidence showing how our continents have moved over time.

The San Andreas fault is a good source of evidence for geologists, but it must also be studied in order to protect those people who live in the area from the next big earthquake.

Learn more about this author, Svetlana Elizabeth.
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